diff --git a/.github/workflows/compile.yml b/.github/workflows/compile.yml
index c2042b080..b1652f9cb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/compile.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/compile.yml
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ jobs:
         make -v ; \
         which gmake ; \
         export PATH=/opt/riscv/bin:${PATH} ; \
+        riscv32-unknown-elf-gcc -march=rv32g_zbb -c -x c /dev/null ; \
+        echo "return code: $?" ; \
         make isa ;
     - name: Build and test simulators
       run: eval $(opam env) && test/run_tests.sh